Former Works Minister Raises Concerns Over BPL’s Continuing Power Problems

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Power woes continues to plague Bahamas Power and Light, as outages were reported all across New Providence throughout the weekend, with some areas without electricity for nearly 24 hours.

BPL has pointed to severe weather and equipment malfunctions as the reasons behind the interruptions.

Also, the issues were not limited to the capital, as outages were also reported in Abaco and Eleuthera up to Monday morning.

However, for many residents, power outages are nothing new, as it’s a challenge the country has faced for decades.

Former Minister of Works and Utilities under the Minnis administration, Desmond Bannister, says engines brought in from Wärtsilä were performing well and handling the high demand, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite this, he says he is now unsure about what has changed.

The Davis administration has attempted to address the country’s energy challenges, including entering into an agreement with Pike Corporation to manage the transmission and distribution network in New Providence.

However, details of that agreement have not been made public.

Moreover, while the opposition, Free National Movement, has repeatedly called for more transparency, Bannister says more pressure needs to be applied.

Desmond Banister – Former Minister of Works and Utilities

“Take it to court to see disclosure, because…the law requires, you [to] disclose certain things.”

“Who are the beneficial owners, who do they have working for them? What is their training? What are our levels of skill and what are we doing to improve service?”

Then there is the 10% V.A.T. charged on electricity bills.

In response, Bannister says “that’s just going into one big purse, and that doesn’t solve your electrical problems.”